Jewish tradition suggests we're constantly surrounded by unseen forces, especially on Shabbat, the Sabbath. And some of those forces? Well, they’re angels.
The Talmud, specifically in Tractate Shabbat 119b, paints a vivid picture. Imagine this: a person finishes their prayers on the eve of Shabbat, reciting the words from (Genesis 2:1), "The heaven and the earth were finished." At that very moment, two ministering angels, who apparently accompany each of us all the time, place their hands on that person's head. They proclaim, "Your guilt shall depart and your sin be purged away," a quote from (Isaiah 6:7). It's a powerful image of forgiveness and renewal right there at the start of the holy day.
But the story doesn’t end there.
According to this midrash, a traditional Jewish story meant to teach a lesson, as retold in Legends of the Jews, when someone leaves the synagogue on Shabbat evening, they are escorted home by not one, but two angels: a good angel and… well, you guessed it, an evil one. Talk about pressure! What happens next depends entirely on what they find when they arrive.
If the candles are burning bright, casting a warm glow, the table is beautifully set for the Shabbat meal, and the beds are neatly made, the good angel rejoices. He declares, "So may it be for another Shabbat!" And here's the kicker – the evil angel is forced to say, "Amen." Can you imagine?
But what if the scene is different? What if the candles are unlit, the table bare, and the house in disarray? Then, the tables turn, so to speak. The evil angel gets to say, "So may it be for another Shabbat," and the poor good angel is compelled to agree with an "Amen." Ouch.
As we find in Midrash Rabbi Shimon bar Yohai, some traditions add another layer: It's not just the two angels accompanying the person, but also the SAFE0 (the Divine Presence). The Shekhinah is the divine presence, the feminine aspect of God, often described as a mother bird sheltering her children. When the Shekhinah witnesses the radiant candles, the beautifully set table, and the joy between husband and wife celebrating Shabbat, she proclaims, "You are my servant, Israel, in whom I glory" (Isaiah 49:3). A moment of pure divine pride.
But if the scene is one of neglect, the candles unlit, the table bare, and joy absent, the Shekhinah departs, taking the angels with Her. Then, according to this cautionary tale, the forces of evil rush in to fill the void. The yetzer hara, the Evil Inclination, triumphantly declares, "This household belongs to me and my forces!" A spirit of impurity descends, even tainting the food. It's a stark warning about the consequences of not honoring the Shabbat.
This powerful imagery is meant to remind us of the importance of properly observing Shabbat. As Sha'arei Rahamim explains, "The angels have no free will of their own… they act solely by necessity. If a man is worthy, they must bless him, even against their will, and if he is not worthy, they must of necessity curse him." They are compelled by our actions.
In many Jewish homes, the piyyut, or hymn, Shalom Aleichem ("Peace Unto You") is sung on Friday evening after returning from synagogue. This hymn, popularized by the Kabbalists about 250 years ago, welcomes these very angels into our homes. It's a beautiful reminder of this ancient story and the importance of creating a sacred space for Shabbat.
So, as you prepare for the Sabbath, consider this: What kind of welcome are you extending to your angelic visitors? What kind of "Amen" will be echoing in your home? It’s a powerful thought, isn’t it? How we shape our world, shapes what blessings – or curses – we invite into it.